Tie rod assembly

ABSTRACT

A system for maintaining laterally spaced form boards for the reception of a concrete pour wherein the tie is of a nonconductive material and H-shaped in cross-section, the opposed brackets being specifically configured so as to bear directly against and provide the sole support for the opposed form boards.

Unite Sites Patent 1 91 1 1 3,734,453 Bailey 1451 May 22, 1973 541 TEE R01) ASSEMBLY 3,060,541 10 1962 Hillberg ..249 213 x [76] Inventor: Allen N. Bailey, 1607 South Locust gggi 5/1922 Nelsonw' 229/213 X Street Denver Colo 80222 1, 10/192 Dodd 2 9/213X 2,245,559 6/1941 Klnnlnger... 249/216 X [22] Filed; 1 1970 1,965,319 7/1934 Romero... 249/213 X 3,174,203 3/1965 Kemper ..249/215 [21] Appl. No; 99,479

Primary ExaminerJ. Spencer Overholser 52 us. c1. .249 213 249/40 249/190 Emmi""newalden Jones 511 11m. (:1 ..T ..E04 17/06 Atm'"eyclarence OBYien and Harvey Jawb- [58] Field of Search ..249/213, 214, 216,

T, 131 CP [57] ABSTRACT A system for maintaining laterally spaced form boards References Clted for the reception of a concrete pour wherein the tie is UNITED STATES PATENTS of a non-conductive material and H-shaped in crosssection, the opposed brackets being specifically con- 2,920,371 1/1960 Shoemaker ..249/214 figured so as to bear directly against and provide the 3,430,914 3/1969 Clasen et a1 ..249/217 ole support for the opposed form boards. 1,005,444 10/1911 Mackay 1 ..249/216 2,074,394 3/1937 Hoffer ..249/218 X 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIE 31x22 i973 Allen M Bailey TIE ROD ASSEMBLY The instant invention generally relates to forming systems, and is more particularly concerned with the ties and brackets utilized in maintaining a pair of laterally spaced form boards in a predetermined position relative to each other for the reception of a concrete pour.

As will be appreciated by those familiar with the art, it is conventional to position form boards, for walls or the like, in laterally spaced parallel relation to each other through the utilization of a plurality of transversely extending tie rods or bars. The opposed ends of the rods extend through apertures in the form boards and project laterally therebeyond for engagement by pair of brackets which wedge walers or cross-beams against the outer faces of the form boards so as to introduce a degree of structural stability thereto so as to resist the outward forces of the pour. Each of the ties normally includes a pair of spacers thereon which engage the inner faces of the form boards so as to maintain the desired spacing therebetween. In mounting the conventional system, great care must be taken so as to avoid any contact between the tie rods, which are of metal, with the internal reinforcing steel in that electrolysis will be produced at the point of contact. Further, care must be taken so as to exactly align the brackets along the length of the form for the reception of the walers, and finally, outwardly directed projections must be affixed to the ties or tie rods so as to resist any movement within the concrete, particularly in those situations wherein the outer projecting end portions thereof are to be broken or twisted off.

It is the intention of the instant invention to provide a tie and bracket system which is in both structure and manner of use simplified relative to the conventionally provided equipment and at the same time highly unique, incorporating significant advantages heretofore not available.

More particularly, the tie rods of the instant invention are to be constructed of a non-conductive material, specifically a rigid plastic capable of sustaining tension within the range of anticipated loading. The plastic rod will be H-shaped in cross-section so as to inherently provide a configuration which locks within the concrete, and at the same time avoiding any possibility of the occurrence of voids within the rod such as could occur were the rod molded in a solid rectangular or even circular configuration. Utilizing a rod of this construction, it will be appreciated that no danger of electrolysis exists. In addition, the opposed brackets are configured so as to engage directly against the form boards and progressively tension the rod whereby a positive clamping of the form board is effected between each bracket and the associated rod mounted integral spacer. In this manner, the necessity of the use of walers is avoided. It is contemplated that the rod and bracket units be orientated on approximately 16 inch centers when utilizing three-quarter inch plywood for the form boards. lncidently, it will be appreciated that, upon a removal of the form boards, brackets and projecting portions of the plastic rods, any exterior wall board or paneling can be mounted by a driving of nails or screws directly into the wall embedded exposed ends of the rods, thus eliminating the necessity of utilizing conventional furring strips or the like.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through a forming system incorporating the rod and brackets of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the rod and one of the brackets;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the brackets illustrating the planar form engaging innerface thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional detail illustrating the utilization of the embedded rod as a means for mounting wall paneling.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 is used to designate a tie or tie rod constructed in accordance with the instant invention, with the associated brackets being designed by reference numeral 12. Both the rod 10 and the brackets 12 are to be made of a non-conductive material, preferably a synthetic resinous material or plastic incorporating a substantial degree of rigidity and a strength sufficient so as to accommodate the loading stresses to which these components are to be subjected.

The rod 10 is, for a major portion of the length thereof between the opposed ends 14, to have an H- shaped cross-section. This is considered significant in that the rod will thus integrally incorporate longitudinal edges and grooves, defining a plurality of angularly related longitudinal faces, which will receive the concrete for a firm binding of the rod to the concrete and a locking of the rod 10 in position. In addition, this H-shaped configuration is significant in that by molding the plastic material of the rod 10 in this configuration, as opposed to as an example a square configuration which would also inherently bind and lock within the concrete against rotational movement relative thereto, the rod can be molded without voids or air pockets in the material which would reduce the tensile strength of the rod 10 and provide an unusable product.

The opposed ends 14 of the rod 10 are in the nature of enlarged heads, each having a conical outer tip 16 and a planar inner face or shoulder 18. Inwardly spaced from each of the enlarged ends 14 is an integrally formed spacer or spacing collar 2i) which projects radially outward from the main body of the rod 10. A further pair of integral stabilizing collars 22, of a smaller diameter than the spacers 20, are provided along the central portion of the rod 10.

Each of the brackets 12 associated with each rod or tie 10 is rectangular and consists of a flat panel 24 which presents a planar rear face 26. An inverted keyhole slot 28 is defined through the panel 24 and incorporates an enlarged lower circular portion 30 capable of receiving an enlarged rod end 14 therethrough and a vertically elongated slot portion 32 which snugly accommodates the main portion of the rod 10, that portion having the I-l-shaped cross-section, but too narrow so as to allow passage of the head 14 therethrough.

The bracket 12 further includes flange defining portions projecting perpendicularly from the second face thereof Such flange defining portions are formed continuously about the periphery of the panel 24 and transversely thereacross so as to conform to and follow along the edges of the keyhole slot 28. The portion of the flanges defined peripherally about the panel 24 include upper and lower edge portions indicated by reference numerals 34 and 36 respectively, and opposed side portions indicated by reference numeral 38. The sections of flanges which extend transversely across the panel 24 and conform to the opposite sides of the keyhole 28 are designated by the reference numeral 40. As will be appreciated from the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the outer edges of 38 and 40, commencing with the upper flange portion 34, parallel with panel 24 for a short distance downward from the flange portion 34 and then taper inwardly toward the panel 24 so as to terminate at the relatively shorter lower flange portion 36, thus providing in effect an inclined face along a major portion of the outer side of the bracket 12. Incidently, it will be noted that each of the keyhole conforming flange portions 40 also includes an integral full height projection 42 which has a passage 44 defined longitudinally therethrough, this passage continuing through the panel 24 and acting as a guide for bracket stabilizing nails 46 should such be deemed necessary.

In use, the form boards, designated by reference numeral 48, are positioned in parallel spaced relation to each other and the tie rods introduced therebetween. As will be appreciated from FIG. 1, the form boards 48 engage against the spacers or spacing collars with the rod end portions being introduced through preformed openings or holes 50 provided in the form boards 48, the conical outer end of each of the enlarged heads 14 assisting in a guiding of the rod end portions through the holes 50. The pair of brackets 12 associated with each rod lil are then mounted with the planar face 26 of each bracket being engaged directly against the outer surface of the corresponding form board 48. The introduction of the enlarged head 14 through the circular enlarged portion of the corresponding keyhole 28 is simplified by the provision of the conical end 16. Once the enlarged head 14 passes beyond the tapering outer face of the bracket, the bracket 12 is driven downwardly whereby a gradual and continuing pressure is exerted on the corresponding form board 48 so as to drive the form board rearwardly and effect a clamping of the form board between the enlarged planar face 26 of the bracket 12 and the integral spacer 20 on the rod 10. Once the bracket is firmly seated, the enlarged head 14 sitting on the upper parallel portions of the side conforming flange portions 40, stabilizing nails 46 can be used if desired. Of particular significance is the fact that, inasmuch as the rods 10 are of a non-conductive material, the rods can be positioned as desired without concern as to whether or not the internal steel reinforcing which is to be incorporated into the concrete wall and the like is engaged thereby. This is of course contrary to conventional forming systems wherein great care must be taken so as to avoid contact between the conventional metal ties and the internal reinforcing to preclude the possibility of electrolysis. Further, the utilization of brackets having planar rear faces adapted for engagement directly against the form boards is significant in that this eliminates the necessity of using walers, thus substantially reducing the cost of the system and eliminating both labor and time in the assembly and disassembly of the forming system.

Subsequent to a hardening of the pour sufficient so as to enable a removal of the formwork, the retaining nails 46, if used, are removed and the individual brackets 12 driven upwardly for removal from the rods 10. The form boards are then moved outwardly from the opposed faces of the formed wall and the projecting rod portions broken or cut off. If so desired, lines of weakness or shear lines can be provided about each rod and portion, preferably immediately inward of the spacer 20, so as to facilitate a snapping off of these outer end portions. As previously referred to, the configuration of the rod 10 lends itself to firm embedment within the concrete. As such, there is no tendency for the rod to slip or move as the end portions are being snapped or twisted therefrom, this also constituting an important feature of the invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, once the exposed end portions of the rod are removed, the exposed embedded portion of the rod 10, being formed of plastic, can be utilized as a nailing base to receive a driven fastener, generally designated by reference numeral 52, for a mounting of wall paneling or other wall finishing surfaces 54. It is contemplated that the rods 10 be positioned at equally spaced points throughout the formwork, and as such, the utilization of these rods for the mounting of paneling 54 will be greatly simplified. This in turn of course eliminates the necessity of utilizing furring strips or other means for the mounting of wall finishing means.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a particularly distinctive forming system has been defined, this system incorporating specific and highly significant advantages which, while clearly desirable, have heretofore been unavailable.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in a forming system incorporating a pair of laterally spaced form boards for the reception of a concrete pour therebetween, an elongated tie rod positionable between the form boards to engage therewith and define a stabilization means therefor, said rod being formed of a non-conductive plastic material, said tie rod having a solid H-shaped cross-section along a major portion of the length thereof, said H-shaped crosssection defining a plurality of angularly related longitudinal faces, said tie rod further having integral enlarged opposite ends, said ends defining inwardly directed shoulders positionable outward of the opposed form boards, and a pair of form board engaging non conductive plastic brackets positionable outward of the opposed form boards, each bracket comprising a flat panel presenting planar front and rear faces, an inverted keyhole slot defined through said panel, flange means projecting perpendicularly from the front face of the panel peripherally thereabout and transversely thereacross so as to conform to and follow along the edges of the keyhole slot, said flange means tapering transversely across the front face of the panel along the length of the defined slot to define a gradually increasing thickness in the bracket from a first end of the keyhole slot which incorporates an enlarged circular portion capable of receiving the rod end to the second end of the slot which, while capable of accommodating the rod, is too narrow to allow passage of the rod end therethrough. i 

1. For use in a forming system incorporating a pair of laterally spaced form boards for the reception of a concrete pour therebetween, an elongated tie rod positionable between the form boards to engage therewith and define a stabilization means therefor, said rod being formed of a non-conductive plastic material, said tie rod having a solid H-shaped cross-section along a major portion of the length thereof, said H-shaped crosssection defining a plurality of angularly related longitudinal faces, said tie rod further having integral enlarged opposite ends, said ends defining inwardly directed shoulders positionable outward of the opposed form boards, and a pair of form board engaging non-conductive plastic brackets positionable outward of the opposed form boards, each bracket comprising a flat panel presenting planar front and rear faces, an inverted keyhole slot defined through said panel, flange means projecting perpendicularly from the front face of the panel peripherally thereabout and transversely thereacross so as to conform to and follow along the edges of the keyhole slot, said flange means tapering transversely across the front face of the panel along the length of the defined slot to define a gradually increasing thickness in the bracket from a first end of the keyhole slot which incorporates an enlarged circular portion capable of receiving the rod end to the second end of the slot which, while capable of accommodating the rod, is too narrow to allow passage of the rod end therethrough. 